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There’s no denying it, there are a lot of cool trucks on the market today. And while the ultra-luxurious high-end models, like Ford’s 2025 Platinum Tremor Super Duty, get most of the attention there are other gems in the lineup that we think are just as awesome. When we got word that Ford had a 2025 F-250 Regular Cab XL model joining its media fleet we jumped at the chance for a bit of time behind the wheel.
A Regular Cab That’s Anything But
As the base model in Ford’s Super Duty lineup, the F-250 XL arrived with a starting price of just $48,090. However, as optioned it quickly worked its way to a full MSRP of $74,675. Chief among the offenders was the truck’s Standard Output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, which added $10,495 to the price. A Ford Performance dealer installed Warn recovery winch tacked on an additional $4,225 and the XL Off-Road package was another $995. The options list also included Ford’s Vehicle Integration System 2.0 ($400), upfitter switches ($230), 410-amp dual alternator ($115), remote start system ($250), tailgate step ($375), 360-degree camera package ($1,150), on-board scales & Smart Hitch ($650), XL Driver Assist package ($730), and a bunch of towing/hitch upgrades.
Standard Output Power Stroke Diesel Engine
Ford first introduced its 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine for the 2011 model year. The engine, Ford’s first in-house designed heavy-duty diesel engine, produced 390 horsepower with 735 lb-ft of torque. A second generation bumped power to 440 hp with 860 lb-ft in 2015. Power increased again with the third generation in 2020 to 475 hp with 1,050 lb-ft of torque. In 2023 Ford updated its lineup of Power Stroke diesel engines again, this time adding the 500 hp, 1,200 lb-ft, high-output into the mix.
While most of the talk the past few years has been around the best-in-class high-output Power Stroke figures, after spending a week with this truck we’ve reached the shocking conclusion that maybe the standard output Power Stroke is enough.
Having recently driven another 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the high output Power Stroke we were ready to feel underwhelmed by the lesser engine. However, that feeling never came. The reality is that maybe the 25 hp and 150 lb-ft difference in power just isn’t enough to be felt in the driver seat. We found the standard output engine to still be incredibly quick getting up to speed with plenty of power on tap for merging and passing duties. Power delivery is smooth and predictable and turbo lag is almost unnoticeable. We also found the 10-speed transmission rowed through the gears in a swift and firm fashion and we never found it hunting. Overall, it’s just a pleasant powertrain to pilot. And the $2,500 saved by not jumping to the high output Power Stroke will buy a lot of fuel.
Built For Work
Rocking an 8-foot bed and steel wheels it’s pretty clear from the outside that this truck was built to work. As equipped, this truck came rated to tow up to 20,000 pounds with a conventional hitch, 21,600 with a 5th-wheel or 22,500 with a gooseneck hitch. This truck was optioned with the company’s High Capacity Trailer Tow Package ($1,130), 5th-wheel hitch prep package ($650), a 20,000-pound 5th-wheel hitch kit ($1,345), gooseneck hitch kit ($250), trailer brake controller ($300), along with onboard scales and smart hitch ($650).
Not wishing to miss an opportunity to test these towing features, and needing to move a vehicle, we hitched up a 20-foot utility trailer and loaded it with an Ineos Grenadier SUV for a total loaded weight of about 11,000 pounds. Naturally, the Super Duty had no issue pulling the load. The truck pulled grades with ease and got into the flow of traffic as if it were unloaded. As an added bonus, the tongue weight settled the truck’s suspension and produced the best ride we’ve ride we’ve experienced in a ¾-ton truck in a while. The towing aides were nice to have without being obtrusive. Everything just worked, and worked well.
This 2025 Ford F-250 XL Is Off-Road Ready
While not a natural trait of Ford’s base XL trim, this truck came to us outfit for utility off pavement. Adding the XL Off-Road package brought 33-inch (285/70R17) Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires along with an electronic locking rear differential, transfer case and fuel tank skid plates, extended transfer case and axle vent tubes for water fording, and a unique front air dam for an improved approach angle. The Ford Performance recovery winch is a 12,000-pound unit produced by Warn. It comes with a wired remote (our truck had a wireless controller as well) and 70 feet of high-tensile strength, abrasion-resistant synthetic line.
While this is exactly how we’d option our own XL Super Duty, adding these features does not automatically make the truck and off-road champ. The truck’s ride remains firm off-road while bordering on harsh. Slow is key to preserving back and kidney function when the pavement turns to dirt. That said, we didn’t expect anything different. This truck isn’t built for a day on the trails. Rather, adding the XL Off-Road package and winch work to add even greater capability to an already robust package. Need to do work in a muddy field, haul material up an unmaintained road, or help clear the streets after a storm? This truck ideally situation for those situations and so much more. The locking rear differential and knobby tires provide excellent traction while the winch ensures that heavy objects are easily moved.
If you desperately want to pull double duty with a truck like this, we’d recommend also adding Ford’s FX4 package to the mix, which brings off-road tuned dampers along with hill descent control. Sadly, you’d have to bump up to a Crew Cab XLT to get the Tremor off-road package option.
The Basic Interior Is… Nice
New for 2025, Ford added the Platinum Plus package to the Super Duty lineup. Available only on Platinum-trimmed Crew Cab four-wheel drive trucks with the high output Power Stroke, this package is the only way to get the uber-lux Venetian leather and French-stitches Smoked Truffle interior.
On the other end of the spectrum, however, this XL came fit with good ‘ol Medium Dark Slate vinyl—the only interior option for the XL. The 40/20/40 split bench seat features a center armrest that flips up from the center seat seatback and is a work surface when deployed.
We can say unequivocally that this interior is among the most comfortable. We found the seats to be surprisingly soft and comfortable, like an old couch that is only getting better with age. On long highway slogs we dare say the trusty bench seat proved more comfortable than the new-fangled massaging seats in the Platinum. We said it, and we mean it.
The XL is fit with a relatively basic 8-inch infotainment screen and does not offer navigation or satellite radio. This is not an issue, however, since it does come with wireless Apple CarPlay. A 4.2-inch driver information screen is flanked by analog gauges and a metal ignition key is needed.
2025 Ford F-250 XL – Final Thoughts
While not the perfect truck for every person or situation, we have grown to absolutely adore the 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL. The exterior styling is a good blend of classic work truck and modern flare, and the off-road tires with steel wheels are the chef’s kiss. Sure, it’s not quite the cheap farm truck of yesteryear, but this is truly as close as we can get in today’s world. This truck is powerful, capable, and comfortable—all the best traits when looking for a solid work truck.
